Dan Barrett And Tom Baker In Australia CD

Trombonist Dan Barrett teams up with a particularly strong band of Australian mainstream jazzmen on this highly enjoyable release. Co-leader is Tom Baker who mostly plays tenor but also switches to his pretty alto on "Indian Summer" and "Through for the Night." The rhythm section (pianist Chris Tapperell, guitarist Ian Date, bassist Don Heap and drummer Lynn Wallis) is supportive and swinging, and the great Australian cornetist Bob Barnard sits in on three exciting numbers. One of them, "That's a Plenty," finds both Barrett and Baker switching to trumpets and the well-arranged results for the three brassmen is very exciting. Other highlights include "Vignette," "It's Like Reaching for the Moon," "Lady Be Good" (which finds Barrett and Baker reproducing Lester Young's famous solo) and Gene Ammons' "Jug." Highly recommended. ~ Scott Yanow

Recording information: Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Sydney, Australia (09/03/1994); Studios Of The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Syd (09/03/1994).

Author: Jim McLeod.

Photographer: Luther Yonce.

Personnel: Dan Barrett (trumpet, trombone); Ian Date (guitar); Tom Baker (alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, cornet); Dan Barrett Quintet (trumpet, trombone); Bob Barnard (cornet).

Liner Note Author: Jim McLeod.